JOURNEY FROM KATUNGA TO BOUSSA. 
79 
rocks in the river were a dark clay slate : its course was from west- 
north- west to east-south-east. The head man of the village at the 
ferry told me that it had its rise in the hills to the north of Niki, 
ran to the north of Kiama, and entered the Quorra above Rakah. 
At the place where I and my baggage crossed it was dry ; but all 
other passengers, not being in the service of a king, are required 
to cross at the ferry by a canoe, where they have to pay ten cowries 
a head for each passenger, and twenty cowries for a load for goods. 
After crossing, I halted at the village of the ferry, which is called 
Billa, on the south side of the river. I encamped under a shady 
tree for the superior coolness, though I was offered the best house 
in the village. The head man brought me a present of a sheep, 
some yams, milk and honey ; and, a short while after my arrival, 
the head man of the village of Barakina arrived with a sheep, yams, 
and honey, making an apology for his not being at home when I 
passed. Alligators are plenty in the river, as one of the carriers, 
in going to bring water, was chased from the river side by one : 
parrots, paroquets, and game abound near the banks of this stream. 
In the evening it was reported to me that the whole of the horses were 
lost : whether it be to extract a present or not, time will show. 
Tuesday, 21st. — It was 8 A.M. before the horses were brought 
back. I sent all the baggage and stores off, except three boxes, 
which I gave in charge to the head man of the village, who pro- 
mised to forward them to me at Wawa. I gave him and the head 
man of the village of Barakina two yards of cloth each, with a knife 
and a few beads, with which they were very well pleased. An 
escort of four horsemen arrived to conduct me to Wawa, and at 
8. 30 A. M. I left Billa and the escort, who had made the head 
man of the village provide them with a breakfast. The road lay 
over a plain, well cultivated, and planted with cottons, yams, and 
corn in a number of places. At 10 halted under the shade of a 
tree, near the walls of Wawa, until the escort came up, which they 
did in a short time afterwards, when I proceeded with them into the 
